Launch of New MSc in Advanced Social Work Studies (Adult Protection)

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Health and Social Care Department and the Social Work subject area of the University of Edinburgh have collaborated over the last year to create a new course, which will focus on the quality of services for adults at risk of harm.

The launch of the new course took place at the Playfair Library, Old College, The University of Edinburgh. The event was opened by Professor Viviene Cree of the University of Edinburgh and chaired by Michelle Miller, Chief Social Work Officer of  the City of Edinburgh Council. This event also featured a keynote address from Professor Jill Manthorpe, Kings College London who presented perspectives on the contemporary context of Adult Protection.

The course will be launched as a pilot at first with a small group of sponsored employees from the Council and NHS Lothian undertaking the Post Graduate Certificate. The possibility of progression to Diploma and Masters Level is an individual option thereafter. A successful pilot will lead to this course being opened up to a wider range of professionals from across the country.

Michelle Miller, Chief Social Work Officer said: “The protection of vulnerable adults is a key priority for social work, health and police services across the country. Earlier this year a multi -agency Adult Protection Committee was established in Edinburgh to promote the highest-standard of inter-agency practice in preventing  and responding to the abuse of adults at risk. These arrangements reflect those that have been in place for child protection for many  years. This new course will make a valuable contribution to social work and health practitioners’ ability to provide the highest quality of  service to vulnerable adults.”

Susan Hunter, Programme Director (Adult Protection), at Edinburgh University said: “Social Work at the University of Edinburgh has a long and productive history of collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council in the  education and training of social workers. The Adult Support & Protection Act (2207) is due to be implemented next week and we are  delighted to be working in partnership with CEC to promote professional standards in this important area of practice.”